With Christmas fast approaching, the pickings are relatively slim this week for local movie fans looking for off-the-beaten-path movie events. Unsurprisingly, those events that are scheduled tend to have a holiday bent to them, such as the Deutsches Haus' annual screening of "Joyeux Noel." In fact, it tops this week's Thinking Outside the Box Office column, a regular listing of upcoming off-the-beaten-path movie events on tap for local film fans.

FREE SCREENINGS

Deutsches Haus Kino Deutsches Haus, 1023 Ridgewood St., Metairie, 522.8014. The local cultural center continues its series of notable German films. This week: director Christian Carion's Oscar-nominated 2005 drama "Joyeux Noel" (7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19), about the Christmas Day truce that occurred along the Western Front of World War I. All films are subtitled. German food will be available for purchase.For details, visit the Deutsches Haus website.

LIMITED RUNS

Naughty + Nice holiday film series W New Orleans - French Quarter, 316 Chartres. The W kicks off a series of screenings to be held in its outdoor courtyard. Money from ticket sales as well as the sale of refreshments will go to the Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. This week: director Richard Curtis' romance "Love Actually" (6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19), starring Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson and Keira Knightley. Outdoor heaters and a limited number of chairs will be available, but guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. The event will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.For details, visit the W's website.

Prytania Theatre Midnite Movies Series 5339 Prytania St., 891.2787. The theater continues its weekly series of cult-classic film screenings. This week: actor-director Tommy Wiseau's latter-day cult classic "The Room" (midnight Friday and Saturday, Dec.21-22).Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for college students, and $8 for children and seniors. For details visit the Prytania Theatre website.

Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 504.827.5858. Continuing this week: writer-director Bavo Defurne's coming-of-age drama "North Sea, Texas" (7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 19 and Dec. 20), based on Andre Sollie's novel. Also, directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's documentary "Detropia" (9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday Dec. 19 and 20), which holds up the city of Detroit as an emblem of the loss of America's manufacturing base.Tickets are $8 ($7 for students and seniors; $6 for members and children under 16). For details, including screening times, visit the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center website.